It has been nearly four years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impact continues. A recent study has found a significant increase in the demand for mental health services among the population in the post-pandemic era. Experts emphasize the importance of prioritizing self-care alongside seeking professional help when dealing with mental health issues. They also recommend two immediate stress relief methods.
A cohort study published in the JAMA Health Forum found, through an analysis of the database of employer-based private insurance in the United States, that at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of individuals receiving in-person mental health services declined, while the number of individuals receiving telehealth visits increased 10-fold compared to pre-pandemic levels. From 2021 to 2022, the number of individuals receiving in-person mental health services gradually rebounded, reaching nearly 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels by August 2022. Meanwhile, the number of individuals receiving telehealth visits stabilized at 10 times pre-pandemic levels.
Overall, from 2019 to August 2022, the total number of individuals seeking mental health services increased by approximately 38.8 percent, while the spending rate increased by 53.7 percent.
Researchers believe that, due to the surge in demand for mental health services post-pandemic, insurance companies may reconsider their policies, potentially discontinuing reimbursements for telehealth services.
25 Percent Increase in Depression and Anxiety During the Pandemic
Previous studies have also highlighted the pandemic’s significant negative impact on mental health. On the one hand, the pandemic and its containment measures disrupted the daily life of many people. On the other hand, both the COVID-19 virus and vaccination can increase inflammation responses, damaging nerve cells and thus elevating the risk of mental or neurological disorders.A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2022 showed that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by 25 percent in the first year of the pandemic, with young people and women being particularly affected. Social distancing measures during the pandemic hindered people from interacting with loved ones or participating in social activities. Feelings of loneliness, fear of infection, grief for lost loved ones, and financial worries all contributed to stress and depression. For health care workers, exhaustion was the most significant factor leading to suicidal thoughts.
Neurological Impact of the COVID-19 Virus
COVID-19 infection also increases the risk of neurological and mental disorders. A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry in August 2022 analyzed data from over 1.28 million COVID-19 patients worldwide and compared them with patients suffering from other respiratory infections. The results showed that COVID-19 patients had a significantly higher risk of developing various neurological and psychiatric disorders within six months of infection than the control group. These disorders included anxiety, mood disorders, psychotic disorders, insomnia, cognitive deficit, and dementia.Dr. Yuhong Dong, a European expert in virology and infectious diseases, explained on the Epoch Times Health 1+1 program that the impact of the COVID-19 virus on mental health is not solely attributed to its direct induction of neuronal apoptosis. It also leads to neurological harm by attacking brain blood vessels, causing immune dysregulation, triggering neuroinflammation, and damaging mitochondria.
For some individuals, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can potentially lead to inflammatory reactions resembling viral infections and trigger mental health issues. A case report published in Psychiatry Research in 2021 detailed the case of a 31-year-old male patient with no prior history of mental illness. He developed psychiatric symptoms after receiving the first mRNA vaccine dose, and his condition significantly worsened three weeks after the second dose. His symptoms included anxiety, auditory and visual hallucinations, and even mistaking a colleague for a romantic partner.
2 Immediate Stress Relief Methods
Echo Song, a mental health education specialist at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said on the Epoch Times Health 1+1 program that individuals dealing with mental health issues should prioritize self-care in their daily lives and seek timely medical attention. She recommends two methods for relieving stress anytime, anywhere:1. Deep Breathing
Begin by inhaling rapidly through your nostrils, holding your breath for six seconds, and finally exhaling slowly through your mouth for seven seconds. This method is simple, cost-free, effective, and can be practiced anytime, anywhere, providing immediate anxiety relief.2. The 54321 Grounding Technique
When feeling anxious to the extent that concentrating becomes challenging, you can try the 54321 technique to regain focus:- Look around and name five things you see.
- Reach out and touch four objects, then say their names.
- Name three sounds you hear.
- Name two scents you smell.
- Eat something and describe one taste you experience.
Ms. Song also recommends engaging in activities that enhance mental health, such as singing, painting, journaling, listening to music, spending time in nature, socializing with friends, and exercising. Regarding physical activity, yoga, jogging, and meditation are particularly beneficial in contributing to stable mental well-being.
A study published in Psychiatry Research in 2012 found that mindfulness meditation helps increase gray matter density in the brain, especially within the hippocampus. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in regulating emotions, and individuals with severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often exhibit reduced hippocampal density or volume.
A 2017 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) journal indicated that nature exposure improves mental health; even taking walks in parks or on campuses within large cities offers significant benefits. After participants took a 90-minute walk on tree-lined paths on the Stanford University campus, their levels of rumination decreased, and parts of the brain associated with mental illness became less active.
Clinical trials have also shown that music therapy can help improve mental well-being and enhance the quality of life for individuals with mental disorders. Furthermore, learning to play the piano can contribute to emotional improvement. A study published in Scientific Reports in 2022 revealed that adults with no prior musical experience, after taking piano lessons once a week and learning to play classical music, experienced a significant enhancement in their sensory perception abilities and a reduction in levels of depression, stress, and anxiety.